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Peace cross sparks free speech debate

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    Atheist group fighting to take memorial down

  • Duration 3:45
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Welcome back everybody well for decades a forty foot cross memorial for the country's World War I veterans has welcomed visitors and residents to -- -- Maryland.

But -- -- group has its way that won't be the case much longer that's because across also stands on public property.

The American humanist association says applause as a Christian symbol and doesn't fairly represent all of the fallen soldiers.

Lawyers from both sides of the case are here for fair announced today.

Joining us now we have.

Does the lawyer for human side Gilbert does who is here he hasn't been a very emotional issue mr.

Burgess.

You believe very strongly that the cross is a Christian image and one that does not represent the sacrifices made by non Christian soldiers.

That's why you're against keeping in place even though it's been there for eighty years and means so much to many in the community.

Why the fight now.

Why now because.

It was brought it to our attention on one of our members.

Of course the reason there hasn't perhaps been brought in the past is because.

It takes a certain act of courage to come forward.

And ask for something like this -- -- prove unpopular in certain parts of the community.

Why is it an issue that you believe needs to.

Take it to find some sort of resolution in the courts at this point.

It's it's a constitutional issue of significant importance.

Our founders and their wisdom when they set up our government.

-- the first freedom to the bill of rights and that's.

The First Amendment which requires separation of church and state well -- this is the latest in a series of battles across the country right now over the meaning of the First Amendment scare teens and government will not endorse or impede the practice of religion.

Where do you see this conflict going.

Look this veterans memorial is constitutional.

What with the court has said repeatedly is what matters is history and context.

Let's look at the history of this memorial.

This memorial was erected in 1925.

To honor 49 man who gave their lives in war -- 149.

And a Prince George's County it would be a travesty.

Dishonor to these men if if if they edit it had to be -- moved or torn down.

Still at this point though the fact that he the other side is arguing that it does.

Infringe on the First Amendment.

How do you respond to that.

Well it that the Supreme Court said in -- ten commandments case just a few years ago what matters is history in contacts.

Here we have history.

The purpose.

Of this is to honor veterans their selfless sacrifice and service.

Also what what we have here is the context this -- it doesn't sit alone sit with other memorials and other monuments.

There's a memorial to war -- to veterans there's an immoral to create and invent and -- of Vietnam veterans.

There's also -- -- 9/11 victims in addition it's a historic areas where the battle blatant -- was.

For the war of 1812 so.

I think the Supreme Court would say and it.

That this is constitutional.

What we can't disrespect our veterans.

But my second guessing what they choke back tears away to waiting around last few moments of this you disagree of course I -- I understand it.

That's right no disrespect intended to our veterans in fact I think we should have a secular war memorial to the follow one of the first world war in -- -- it just can't take the form of crops.

And -- cross itself would be perfectly appropriate if -- were relocated private property.

My iPod that -- Tuesday mr.

-- This is obviously a story we're gonna fall for some time and keep close watch judge Allan thank you so much for joining us today thank you for revenue.

Thank you for having us.

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